Different to other countries, the political class, citizens, media in Albania often rely on foreign diplomats serving in the country to play the “peacemaker” when it comes to resolving internal issues.
But the European Union ambassador to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, who guested on the “Inside Albania” podcast with Alice Taylor this Saturday, said it is not his role to comment on domestic politics, but merely point out to the right things for Albania on its way to the European Union.
“I knew that the EU ambassador here counts. What you say has to be weighed carefully. But I’m also very respectful of the sovereignty of this country. I think it’s a mature democracy and my role is not that of a political commentator. I’m not there to say something is good or bad. I see my role more as saying sometimes ‘If you do this, it is not really in line with your long-term objectives of joining the EU. This is not really going in the right direction.’ Particularly when it is stated that it is, so I feel compelled to give my opinion,” explained Gonzato.
“Obviously, I have sometimes expressed my wish that for example, the situation in Parliament was addressed and that the country went back to normal parliamentary life, simply because I felt this was a key condition for adopting those reforms that Albania has to adopt. I felt it was part of my role of helping Albania towards joining the EU. Besides that, I don’t feel that it’s my role to give guidance. Privately, I might convey messages but I really try to refrain from taking a public stance. I had a meeting with some journalists who asked why I don’t speak up more or politicians that send me letters about situations, which might be regrettable, but I think they have to be addressed by politicians, and not me,” Gonzato added.
On the prolonged chaotic situation in Parliament where a part of the opposition boycotted the normal work of this institution, protested and even set fire, the ambassador expressed happiness that that is now over.
“Several times, I have passed messages privately and publicly saying that it was important that they would find a way forward, that would allow the opposition also to play its role. Let’s be clear. I just felt that the way in which part of the opposition was behaving in Parliament, was damaging actually the reputation of the institution and the country. So, I’m really pleased that that is over. However, as I see it, the situation and this ‘truce’ is fragile and needs to be nurtured. One concern that I have is that part of the deal was the launch of two inquiry committees and I see that both the Health Committee and the TIMS Committee are having difficulties in moving forward and that the majority and the opposition don’t seem to find a compromise and that is absolutely necessary.”
When it comes to the topic of diaspora vote, debated for a long time now whenever elections approach, the diplomat noted, “It’s not so much a question of supporting it or not, in the sense that we don’t have a consolidated EU practice on this. But there is a ruling of the Constitutional Court that needs to be addressed and I’ve actually read that there seems to be now an agreement within the consensus-building mechanism that indeed they need to find a way, be it online, be it by mail. There are competent bodies that can advise politicians in Albania about the best and most feasible way forward.”
Asked about guaranteeing free and fair elections as Albania approaches the 2025 general elections, Gonzato emphasised a key element as to why the result has to be accepted.
“In terms of free and fair elections, the OSCE/ODIHR has monitored the previous local elections and they made a number of recommendations that should also be part of the package that the Parliament needs to adopt in order to prepare for the next round of general elections and it should do so in the most inclusive way possible. The reason why I’m saying it is that it’s important that whatever the result is, it is accepted by all parties. Otherwise, we will start a new parliamentary term already on the wrong foot with tensions, boycotts, things that Albania has known in the past. And frankly in this stage of Albania’s history it should be a thing of the past,” concluded the ambassador.
